Common clarinet repair mistakes: Article No. 1

Common clarinet repair mistakes: Article No. 1

One of the most common mistakes made by many repairmen is they use a pad that is too large for the 1st finger left hand key under the throat A key. This is the tone hole that allows the open G to speak and if the pad is too large the throat G will be stuffy. This pad should be just big enough to cover the tone hole and not hang over the pad cup.

This is likely the only key you would like the pad and pad cup to be the same size.
The J. L Smith Valentino Master Series Pad – Tan/Cork – .110” pad is great for this key. It is smooth and there is not fish skin to start to make the note stuffy.